Chris Monk
Well-known member
From The Scotsman 18/9/2004:
Poisoners target a rising number of birds and animals
JAMES REYNOLDS ENVIRONMENT CORRESPONDENT
DELIBERATE illegal poisoning of birds and animals in Scotland has increased again and is posing a direct threat to the survival of some of our most iconic species, conservationists have warned.
A new report from the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency reveals that 32 raptors and wild mammals were intentionally killed with the use of poisonous chemicals in 2003, compared with only 23 in 2002 and 25 in 2001.
The figure represents 86 per cent of known pesticide incidents, a "significant" rise on the 2002 figure of 56 per cent, and 71 per cent in 2001, the report says.
However, investigations officers from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds believe that the actual number of incidents could be far higher than those detected. The report, Pesticide Poisoning of Animals 2003, reveals there were 152 suspected poisoning incidents registered for examination by the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme in Scotland last year.
The causes were successfully determined in 64 cases. Of those, 37 involved pesticide poisoning or exposure to pesticides, with 32 judged to be deliberate.
Buzzards, red kites, sparrowhawks, peregrine falcons and sea eagles are just some of the birds which fell victim to the poisoners. Domestic pets were also victims of the increase, with ten dogs and cats included in the final count of 32.
Carbofuran, an agricultural pesticide normally drilled into the soil to avoid any human or wildlife contact because it is so poisonous, was the most abused poison.
The report concluded: "As in all previous years, the illegal practice of deliberately abusing pesticide products to generate poisonous baits claimed numerous victims. Such acts remain the cause of the majority of pesticide-related poisonings throughout the UK. The indiscriminate nature of the process puts at risk any animal that finds the bait material attractive."
Keith Morton, an investigations officer for RSPB Scotland, said deliberate poisoning was directly responsible for killing many red kites brought to Scotland as part of a programme to reintroduce the species. He believed that if poisoning was not a continuing problem, the population of red kites could approach 100 breeding pairs. However, there are still only around 50 breeding pairs.
Mr Morton said: "Poisoning is far less acceptable than it was 30 years ago, and certainly the agricultural community really don’t indulge in this sort of activity any more. It is a small number of mavericks, and in the main the gamekeeping side of things, where the problem still exists. It is still a serious problem.
"Undoubtedly it is still going on and at a level that is capable of damaging birds of prey."
However, Burt Burnett, a spokesman for, and committee member of, the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, rejected the claims.
He said: "We are not happy with the fact that the RSPB continually lays the blame for these sorts of incidents squarely with gamekeepers, and try to vilify us. To accuse us all with a broad sweep of their hand is unfair."
Poisoners target a rising number of birds and animals
JAMES REYNOLDS ENVIRONMENT CORRESPONDENT
DELIBERATE illegal poisoning of birds and animals in Scotland has increased again and is posing a direct threat to the survival of some of our most iconic species, conservationists have warned.
A new report from the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency reveals that 32 raptors and wild mammals were intentionally killed with the use of poisonous chemicals in 2003, compared with only 23 in 2002 and 25 in 2001.
The figure represents 86 per cent of known pesticide incidents, a "significant" rise on the 2002 figure of 56 per cent, and 71 per cent in 2001, the report says.
However, investigations officers from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds believe that the actual number of incidents could be far higher than those detected. The report, Pesticide Poisoning of Animals 2003, reveals there were 152 suspected poisoning incidents registered for examination by the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme in Scotland last year.
The causes were successfully determined in 64 cases. Of those, 37 involved pesticide poisoning or exposure to pesticides, with 32 judged to be deliberate.
Buzzards, red kites, sparrowhawks, peregrine falcons and sea eagles are just some of the birds which fell victim to the poisoners. Domestic pets were also victims of the increase, with ten dogs and cats included in the final count of 32.
Carbofuran, an agricultural pesticide normally drilled into the soil to avoid any human or wildlife contact because it is so poisonous, was the most abused poison.
The report concluded: "As in all previous years, the illegal practice of deliberately abusing pesticide products to generate poisonous baits claimed numerous victims. Such acts remain the cause of the majority of pesticide-related poisonings throughout the UK. The indiscriminate nature of the process puts at risk any animal that finds the bait material attractive."
Keith Morton, an investigations officer for RSPB Scotland, said deliberate poisoning was directly responsible for killing many red kites brought to Scotland as part of a programme to reintroduce the species. He believed that if poisoning was not a continuing problem, the population of red kites could approach 100 breeding pairs. However, there are still only around 50 breeding pairs.
Mr Morton said: "Poisoning is far less acceptable than it was 30 years ago, and certainly the agricultural community really don’t indulge in this sort of activity any more. It is a small number of mavericks, and in the main the gamekeeping side of things, where the problem still exists. It is still a serious problem.
"Undoubtedly it is still going on and at a level that is capable of damaging birds of prey."
However, Burt Burnett, a spokesman for, and committee member of, the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, rejected the claims.
He said: "We are not happy with the fact that the RSPB continually lays the blame for these sorts of incidents squarely with gamekeepers, and try to vilify us. To accuse us all with a broad sweep of their hand is unfair."